August 19, 2011

A Kid's Guide To Being A Winner by C.D. Shelton

This book highlights a few of the "old-fashioned" principles in a manner in which children can relate. It offers insight and wisdom for being a successful young person.

The books focuses on being a winner; being responsible; thoughtful; respectful; grateful and living with a positive attitude.

The pages are filled with positive influences such as, being responsible builds trust with the people who know you; winners take responsibility for their actions and when you respect yourself, your giving yourself a chance to succeed are but a few of the anecdotes that are reinforced.

At the beginning of each chapter it talks about the reasons one should strive to be a better person by explanations and examples. Then the following pages take the key points and enhances them for you to engage.

C.D. Shelton points out the consequences of your actions and being responsible for the outcome. Many of the thoughts presented are there to positively reinforce you, as a person and encourage to you to be the best that you can according to your individual capabilities.

I found this book to be very positive in its approach, however, it is a small read and I felt a bit more emphasis could have been given to each of the key points. It's easy to say or read something than it is to actually apply it. I didn't find there were any techniques to keep a young person focused, maybe a few exercises would have been helpful.

The illustrations by Greg G. Gillespie are done in black and white line drawings. I don't feel as though they brought anything to the book. They were dull and lifeless and didn't spark my interest. Although the pictures are not the focus of the book, I did feel as if perhaps they should have pertained to the message being shared, some of them did not. Such as at the beginning of the chapter on being respectful, we have a young lad lying on a lounge chair, reading a book with an half eaten apple on the table beside it. This did not convey respect to me, giving that apple to a teacher, a policeman or someone who deserves respect would have been more serving.

I think it would be a great book to keep in school libraries, doctor's offices, counsellor offices and churches so that any child who wishes to have some power building words to encourage them to be true to themselves and those around them would be able to do so.

SYNOPSIS:
A Kid's Guide to being a Winner is an easy-to-read book for kids who are in need of that little "Extra" spark of understanding. A Kid's Guide to being a Winner is a book for young people on the Values of being responsible, being thoughtful, being respectful, having a positive mental attitude and having gratitude. A Kid's guide to being a Winner is about timeless and fundamental principles, which are essential to SUCCESS. A Kid's Guide to being a Winner includes steps that are simple, yet the results are POWERFUL.

** Disclosure: I did not accept any compensation from the sponsors other than review copies, my views are my own, reviewed by me..as I see it~!! **